Oscar Pistorius could run in Britain this summer as judge lifts 'unfair' bail conditions

Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic runner accused of murdering his model
girlfriend, could run in Britain this summer after a South African judge
handed him back his passport and cleared him to compete in international
races.

Pistorius' lawyers said the athlete had no immediate plans to start running again, but since the sport was his sole form of income, he wanted the option of doing so in the future.

His agent said he was confident he would be "welcomed back" by the racing world, despite the serious charges he faces.

The decision could see Pistorius, who did not attend Thursday's hearing, taking part in London's Anniversary Games in July, at which Paralympic champions from last year's games will be celebrated. Mr Pistorius, known as Blade Runner for the carbon fibre "limbs" he runs on, cemented his reputation as the world's most famous amputee at the London games, winning two gold medals and a silver.

He was arrested on February 14, just hours after shooting Reeva Steenkamp, 29, through a locked lavatory door at his high-security home outside Pretoria. He claimed he had thought the model was a burglar, but prosecutors say he killed her deliberately after a row between the couple.

Last month, after Pistorius had spent eight nights in a police cell, a magistrate ruled that he be released to live at his uncle's home. He was told to surrender his passport and report twice weekly to a police station.

He was banned from drinking alcohol or returning to the house where Miss Steenkamp died.

Pistorius, seen in court in Pretoria during his bail hearing, said he thought Miss Steenkamp, top right, was an intruder when he shot her at his home, bottom right, on Valentine's Day

On Thursday, Bert Bam, a Pretoria High Court judge, upheld an appeal by Pistorius' lawyers, saying the strict conditions - which Pistorius' lawyers likened to "house arrest" - were "unfair and unreasonable".

"I find no reason why the applicant should be forbidden from leaving the Republic of South Africa if he's invited to compete in athletic events in other countries," he said. "The magistrate's condition not to grant the appellant his passport was wrong."

He added that the magistrate had agreed with Pistorius' lawyers that as a world-famous athlete who was distinctive because of his two prosthetic legs, he was not a flight risk, yet imposed conditions that suggested he was.

Instead, Mr Pistorius must notify the state a week before he intends to travel, and provide an itinerary of his trip, the judge ruled.

Henke Pistorius, the athlete's father, applauded the decision.

"To be treated like a criminal when you are not a criminal goes against the grain," he told The Daily Telegraph.

"It's a huge relief and we are very happy about it. It's also gives a lot of trust in the fairness of the judicial system, which is something that every South African must be able to trust at all times."

Barry Roux, Pistorius' lawyer, told the court earlier that his client had no desire to simply "jump on a plane", or to abscond.

Nor, he said, did he have any desire to compete in athletics championships immediately - but running was his "only source of income".

"We don't say he wants to have a nice holiday in Mauritius," he said.

"It's when the situation comes about, he wants to do so under controlled circumstances. (Mr Pistorius) has no desire to compete now but that will change."

Peet Van Zyl, Pistorius' agent, said he would be guided by the athlete as to when he returns to the track.

"This is great news but Oscar is the only one that will determine if and when he is ready to resume his training and when he starts running again - it's not for me or his coach," he said. "He is still trying to come to terms with the loss of Reeva and we respect that and have made that clear to him that he must not feel under any obligation to anybody to return to running."

He dismissed the suggestion that some doors might now be closed to Pistorius in the athletics world.

"We have only had messages of support from all over the world, from competitors, racing directors and fans," he said. "I think he will be welcomed back."

Meanwhile Miss Steenkamp's family were bemused by the news. Her uncle Mike told The Daily Telegraph he was focusing on "more important things".

"That's what the law does and if that's what they say then that's it," he said. "I can't let it sway my mind. I am not thinking about him.

"I just think about Reeva. She's the most important thing to remember."

Prosecutors said they hope Pistorius' trial for Miss Steenkamp's murder can begin "before the end of the year".